Vehicle brake-shoe.



T. L. KNAPP.

VEHICLE BRAKE SHOE. nrucumn nun MAR. a4, 1909:

17L; .1; I l

PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908'.

THERON L. KNAPP, OF WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS.

VEHICLE BRAKE-SHOE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 16, 1908.

Application filed. March 24, 1908. Serial No. 422,883.

as to permit of ready adjustment of the brake-shoe for the purpose of accommodating for wear. I

For a full understanding of the present invention reference is to be had to the following detail description, and to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a brake beam having brake-shoes secured thereto by the means comprising the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the brake-shoe and attaching means therefor, a portion of a wheel being illustrated in dotted lines; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the shoe and supporting hanger; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the hanger and the adjusting plate carried thereby; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the invention; and Fig. 6 isa vertical section of the shoe supporting member or hanger shown in Fig. 5.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the description and drawm Specifically describing the construction of the invention and referring to the drawing particularly, the numeral 1 indicates a conventional form of brake-beam, such as is commonly used to carry the brake-shoes 2 of vehicle brakes. The brake-shoes 2 are ordinarily made of wood and are thus readily worn by the braking action thereof with re spect to the wheels of the vehicle, it being therefor extremely desirable to have some convenient means whereby the lost motion incidental to wear upon the brake-shoes may be taken up.

In carrying out the present invention each brake-shoe 2 is supported by a supporting member or hanger 3. The hanger 3 embodies a depending side portion 4 from which outwardly extends an integral arm 5. The shoe 2 is supported upon the arm 5 of the hanger, and said arm is provided with aseat 6, or recess, in its upper side. At a suitable point in the length of the seat 6 is located an upwardly projecting lug or projection 7 and said seat is adapted to receive therein the body of an adjustable plate 8. The plate 8 is formed with a plurality of openings 9 at intervals in its length, and any one of said openings'is adapted to receive the projection 7 on the arm 5, to thereby hold the plate 8 at a predetermined adjustment.

An integral extension or stop 10 projects upwardly from the rear end of the plate 8, and this stop is adapted to engage the rear end of the brake-shoe 2 adjacent thereto, to hold the brake-shoe rigidly in position, so far as any rearward movement thereof upon the arm 5 of the hanger 3 may be concerned. hen the plate 8 has been adjusted by engagement thereof with the lug 7 of the arm 5, the brake-shoe 2 is disposed so that it rests upon the arm and the plate 8 with its rear end engaged by the stop 10.

To prevent displacement of the shoe 2 from the hanger 3 aclamp plate 11 is employed and rests upon the top of the shoe 2, being secured by means of bolts 12 and 13. The bolt 12 is longer than the bolt 13 and connects the outermost portions of the plate 1 1 and the hanger 3, passing through suitable openings in these parts. The short bolt 13 connects the inner end of the plate 11 with the middle portion of the hanger, the head of this bolt being countersunk or received in a recess in the under side of the uppermost portion of said hanger. Bolts 14 or similar fastenings are used to attach the hanger 3 permanently to the end of the brake-beam 1 upon which it is mounted. An integral vertical web 15 reinforces the connection of the depending portion 4 with the upper and loW ermost portions of the hanger. The hanger 3 is preferably cast integrally with the parts 4, 5 and 15.

' It will be apparent from the foregoing description that whenever the brake-shoes become so greatly worn as to detract from the effectiveness of the brake of the vehicle, it is only necessary to remove the plate 1 1 and adjust the member 8 so that the latter is positioned with the stop 10' nearer the wheel, after which the brake-shoes may be replaced and secured. They will be firmly held at the new adjustment thereof by the members 8, in an evident manner.

Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing illustrates a modification of the invention. The hanger 3 in the modification is formed with the integral portion 4, and offstanding arm 5, in a manner similar to the hanger 3 above described. The shoe 2 however, is attached to the hanger somewhat differently being held in lace upon the arm 5 by an angular clamp p ate 11. The clamp plate 11 1s secured in place by a single bolt 12 which passes dia onally throu h the body of the shoe 2 and through an e ongated opening or slot 16 formed in the hanger 3 approximately at the angle where the arm 5 joins the portion 4. In the modification the hanger is strengthened by the provision of spaced integral webs 15 between which an end of the brake-beam is adapted to be received. The adjustable plate 8 and cooperating parts are used in the modification in substantially the same embodiment as in the preferred form of the invention. To admit of adjustment of the member 2 when it is desired to take up for wear thereupon, it is desirable that the slot 16 be rovided so that the bolt 12 may be moved engthwise thereof in the adjusting operation.

An important feature of the invention resides in the peculiar arrangement of the brake -'block or shoe, which is of wood, whereby the line of the grain thereof is radial with respect to the wheel, or in other words the line of the grain of said shoe eX- tends substantially at a right angle from the point of application thereof to the wheel, in the operation of the brake mechanism.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In combination, a brake-beam, a hanger attached to said beam, said hanger having an oflstanding arm, a brake-shoe mounted on said arm, and a detachable plate having adjustable interlocking adjustment with the arm, said late being rovided with a stop engaging tfie shoe to hdld the latter at a pre determined adjustment.

2. In combination, a brake-beam, a supporting hanger attached thereto and em bodying a depending portion having an outwardly extending arm, said arm being provided with a seat therein and a projection in the length of said seat, a detachable plate supported in the seat of the arm and having openings any one of which is ada ted to receive the aforesaid projection, a brake-shoe disposed upon the arm of the hanger, a stop carried by the aforesaid plate and engaging the brake-shoe, and clamp means securing the brake-shoe in position upon the arm.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THERON L. KNAPP.

Witnesses:

L. L. ScHRoEDER, F. C. WIENKE. 

